HEARD the one about the rugby club that came to the aid of some comedians?

Well Plymouth Albion has side-stepped in to provide a venue for next week's Plymouth Comedy Club gig after it could not longer use its traditional base at Citybus Social Club.

Plymouth Comedy Club has been staging successful events at the social club, in Milehouse, since it was founded more than two years ago.

But in January The Herald revealed the social club's future was uncertain once its lease expired on March 31. It is understood the social club has now shut.

It meant the Comedy Club had to find a venue for its already planned May 9 gig, featuring mirth-masters Harriet Dyer, Jim Smallman and Paddy Lennox.

"We're moving to the Midas Marquee at Albion," said Comedy Club spokesman Brian Cross. "We looked at other venues but none were suitable, either not big enough, didn't have a bar or the layout was wrong."

Albion's events and catering manager Lisa Sutcliffe said: "We were delighted to step in and help the Comedy Club. We have the ideal venue here with our Midas Marquee."

The Comedy Club will continue to stage gigs at its other venue, Derriford Health and Leisure Centre, where its next gig is on May 10. Tickets for the Albion gig are still available.